I just stumbled onto this issue accessing some Python libraries: Microsoft Visual C++ 14.0 is required. Get it with "Microsoft Visual C++ Build Tools". The latest link to that is actually here: https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/downloads/#build-tools-for-visual-studio-2019
When you begin the installer, it will have several "options" enabled which will balloon the install size to 5gb. If you have Windows 10, you'll need to leave selected the "Windows 10 SDK" option as mentioned here, and if you have Windows 11, you'll need to leave selected the "Windows 11 SDK" option.
I hope it helps save others time!
2025/07 Updated Link: https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/downloads/#title-build-tools-for-visual-studio-2022
Answer from Aaron Belchamber on Stack OverflowI just stumbled onto this issue accessing some Python libraries: Microsoft Visual C++ 14.0 is required. Get it with "Microsoft Visual C++ Build Tools". The latest link to that is actually here: https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/downloads/#build-tools-for-visual-studio-2019
When you begin the installer, it will have several "options" enabled which will balloon the install size to 5gb. If you have Windows 10, you'll need to leave selected the "Windows 10 SDK" option as mentioned here, and if you have Windows 11, you'll need to leave selected the "Windows 11 SDK" option.
I hope it helps save others time!
2025/07 Updated Link: https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/downloads/#title-build-tools-for-visual-studio-2022
The current version (2023/09/14) is Build Tools for Visual Studio 2022. It's an online installer, you need to include at least the individual components:
- VC++ 2022 version xx.x tools
- Windows SDK to use standard libraries.
For updated Windows 10 or Windows 11: use the new winget cli
Just copy and paste that command in cmd, powershell or Run (WinKey + R).
Windows 10 SDK
winget install Microsoft.VisualStudio.2022.BuildTools --force --override "--wait --passive --add Microsoft.VisualStudio.Component.VC.Tools.x86.x64 --add Microsoft.VisualStudio.Component.Windows10SDK"
Windows 11 SDK
winget install Microsoft.VisualStudio.2022.BuildTools --force --override "--wait --passive --add Microsoft.VisualStudio.Component.VC.Tools.x86.x64 --add Microsoft.VisualStudio.Component.Windows11SDK.26100"
The above commands will download and run the installer with the switches passed after --override.
The --add will add specific features when installing, in this case:
Microsoft.VisualStudio.Component.VC.Tools.x86.x64Microsoft.VisualStudio.Component.Windows10SDKorMicrosoft.VisualStudio.Component.Windows11SDK.26100
Within Microsoft's docs you can find the IDs of the features available for the Visual Studio Build Tools and in this section also learn more about other parameters available for the installer.
Unable to install Visual C++ build tools
Guidance on understanding and using C Project Build Tools (Make, CMake, etc.)
How to install Rust (Microsoft C++ build tools) on Windows without MSDN license?
Installing Microsoft C++ Build Tools
Videos
Got it
Made a video about how to fix the problem
Check it out
My Video : https://youtu.be/p_R3tXSq0KI
My first time editing videos
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Hello AnnaXiu-MSFT
thank you for your quick answer. I tried what you suggested and downloaded the installer again from the official microaoft website and run it as administrator and without any anti-virus software running in the background but it didnt help. I still get the same error. Isnt there a way to further investigate what underlying problem is causing this error?
Best Regards
Hello everyone,
I am reaching out to learn more about using build tools like make, cmake, makefile, and related commands (e.g., make all, make cfg and make install) in C projects. I have been trying to install softwares like FreeSWITCH, RTPEngine, and OpenSIPs from GitHub. While I have found some blogs that touch on flags and necessary changes, I am still struggling with understanding the basics:
-
How to properly navigate a C project repository on GitHub: Which files and folders should I focus on first?
-
Understanding and modifying build scripts: How do I know when and how to change a Makefile or other related files?
-
Using the build commands: When should I use commands like
make,make all,make install, and what are the other important commands and how do I do it correctly? -
Managing dependencies: How can I identify and install the required libraries (e.g., build-essentials, gcc, g++, libXNAME-dev) before compiling the software?
If anyone could recommend a book, tutorial, or resource that could help a beginner like me get started with these concepts, I would be very grateful. I want to gain the confidence to read and work with C project repositories effectively.
I am not a C programmer but I have some academic projects and followed some tutorials, so my knowledge is not very strong, but I know and I work with the projects that I have mentioned.
The library needs the VC v14+ runtime library, not VS build tools. You can get the runtime from the MS downloads page. Install the VS 2015/2017/2019 redist as it is the latest version.
Hi guys, I wrote a blog post on this issue years ago.
You can find it at https://zs.fyi/archives/python-vc-14-0-error.html.
If you can't read Chinese, feel free to translate it into your language.
The easiest way to solve this problem is by installing Build Tools for Visual Studio and the optional modules that are checked by default. It's a quick and easy solution.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment below.